A young male lion and his queen from the Marsh Pride stand next to each other in the long, dry winter grass.
Courtesy of Nat Geo WILD & NHFU Botswana

National Geographic is doing what it does best this Thanksgiving weekend: Stoking your wanderlust with stunning footage of the natural world.

The second installment of its "Savage Kingdom," series features warring lion clans struggling for survival in a remote region of Botswana.

The series, narrated by "Game of Thrones" actor Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister), follows the lions — and their leopard and hyena counterparts — as vicious yet relatable characters. It takes a dramatic look at the lengths the animals go to ensure their clan's survival during the region's long dry season.

"You've got to have a love for the bush, for being out there. You've got to not be too attached to the comforts normal people take for granted," she said. "But also, once you're out there, you see how beautiful it is waking up in the bush, seeing those sights and smelling those smells. It really does become — very much — a way of life."

Young, curious lion cubs enjoy climbing trees. In this image, a cub from the Northern Pride holds on to a branch, perched in this prime spot.

Courtesy of Nat Geo WILD & NHFU Botswana

A large bull elephant throws sand up towards his ears to cool himself off. Elephants have hundreds of small blood vessels at the back of their ears, so keeping those blood vessels cool helps them keep their overall temperature down.

Courtesy of Nat Geo WILD & NHFU Botswana

The King of the Marsh Pride, Sekekama, sits alongside his brother as they watch large storm clouds approach.

Courtesy of Nat Geo WILD & NHFU Botswana

A small herd of zebra are perfectly silhouetted by the setting sun as they graze on an open marsh.

Courtesy of Nat Geo WILD & NHFU Botswana

In the harsh wilderness of Botswana, water is life. Here, a lone bull elephant searches for a drink in a dusty watering hole.

Courtesy of Nat Geo WILD & NHFU Botswana

A young male lion and his queen from the Marsh Pride stand next to each other in the long, dry winter grass.

A young male lion and his queen from the Marsh Pride stand next to each other in the long, dry winter grass.
Courtesy of Nat Geo WILD & NHFU Botswana

After a day of looking for perfect opportunity to hunt, Saba — dubbed the Leopard Queen — lies along a dead tree at sunset as she readies for an evening of hunting.

Courtesy of Nat Geo WILD & NHFU Botswana

In the first hours of warm sun, a lioness named Matsumi lies at the base of a small termite mound. One of her cubs is draped over her back as they survey their kingdom.

Courtesy of Nat Geo WILD & NHFU Botswana

Hyenas stand alert at a watering hole while wildebeest, a Kori Bustard bird, and a giraffe get a drink in the background.

Courtesy of Nat Geo WILD & NHFU Botswana

As rains return to Botswana’s wilderness, natural watering holes fill up with water, providing a temporary sanctuary for aquatic birds. In this image, a number of birds are silhouetted around a watering hole called Peter’s Pan at sunrise.

Courtesy of Nat Geo WILD & NHFU Botswana

The grasshopper population in Botswana skyrockets during the rainy season, bringing birds called southern carmine bee-eaters to feast upon the insects. As other animals walk through the grass and disturb the grasshoppers, the bee-eaters swoop in and claim their prize.

Courtesy of Nat Geo WILD & NHFU Botswana

During the rainy season, marshes fill with luscious green grass that provides nutritious grazing for many animals. Here, a small herd of zebras gather to eat.